Lead With That
Lead With That is a leadership podcast from the Center for Creative Leadership. Hosts Ren Washington and Allison Barr draw leadership lessons from current headlines and popular culture. Rather than focusing only on formal classroom or online training, the show explores how everyday stories reveal practical leadership insights. Each episode highlights ways to apply these lessons in work and life.
Episodes
From Crisis Reaction to Collective Adaptability
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss how organizations can shift from crisis reaction to collective sustainable adaptability in today’s turbulent climate. The biggest challenge many leaders face is leading organizations through complex crisis and chaotic disruption. Whether faced with adapting to ever-changing circumstances, or the fallout from economic instability, leaders a
Expanding Capabilities Through Talent Development
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the importance of talent development as leaders navigate challenges and prepare their organizations for the future. Developing talent is more than just education and training, especially in the context of today’s ever-changing and complex world. It involves identifying the mindsets, skills, and behaviors that will build capabilities and pu
What the Papal Conclave Teaches Us about Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss a historic chapter in modern leadership: the papal conclave. After the passing of Pope Francis this April, the world has watched in anticipation wondering which leader will be elected to carry on his legacy. Known for his authenticity and humility, his approach redefined traditional papal leadership and set the stage for those after him.
T
Leading While Stuck in Space
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the vast expanse of space in the context of leadership. On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore journeyed into space for an 8-day trip to the International Space Station. To their surprise, returning to Earth became more complicated than expected. They were delayed several times due to a myriad of issues. On March
Leadership Lessons from the Movies
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison tackle the Oscars—not by debating who should or shouldn’t have won, but by highlighting what we can learn about leadership from the Oscar nominees. For example, what does Wicked have to say about maintaining relationships when dealing with adversity? Or what can a character from another planet teach us about staying true to ourselves when making d
Navigating Tough Conversations
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss how leaders can learn to navigate tough conversations with their teams. Amid fast-paced news cycles and constant notifications at our fingertips, handling our own thoughts and feelings about current events can feel difficult, let alone understanding those of the people around us. Yet, one of the most important responsibilities of leadersh
DNA Analysis Ethics and the Importance of Leadership Transparency
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the DNA analysis company 23andMe, and what its challenges mean for consumers in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 23andMe and other organizations in the DNA analysis industry have revolutionized personal genomics and empowered millions of people to gain access to their genetic information. But now that their business and success are fal
Ted Lasso and the Importance of Well-Rounded Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the lessons we can learn about leadership from the TV series “Ted Lasso.” Known for its unique comedy and empathetic characters, the show is hailed as the perfect balance of humor and humanity. It also speaks to the power of optimism, resilience, and well-rounded leadership, and how when these come together, they can lead to unexpected and
The Dutton Family and Expanding Leadership Perspective
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss what we can learn about leadership from the Duttons, a family featured in multiple TV series centered around their journey through post-Civil War America, the turn of the 20th century, and modern day. The franchise is known for its realistic depiction of life in the American West and for highlighting experiences that many can relate to, of
Condoleezza Rice and the Importance of Values in Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss trailblazer and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Widely known for her steadfast political acumen and role in shaping US international relations, Rice is also hailed as a distinguished author, professor, and decision-maker for several organizations and corporations. One thing that stands out about Rice’s leadership is her emph
Bryan Johnson and the Role of Perspective in Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss entrepreneur and venture capitalist Bryan Johnson and the leadership lessons we can glean from his business and health-related endeavors. Notably known for his pursuit of everlasting youth, Johnson has become an emerging figure in the longevity and anti-aging space. With a global audience showing interest in his journey, many wonder what t
What “Schitt’s Creek” Teaches Us About Self-Awareness in Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss what we can learn about leadership from the TV show “Schitt’s Creek.” Since airing in 2015, the series has become beloved by audiences for its comedic storytelling and its unique take on character development. Though the town of Schitt’s Creek and its characters are fictional, the show offers many lessons on the importance of growth and th
What We Can Learn About Conflict Resolution from Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the climax of the ongoing rivalry between music artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar. After years of alluding to mentions of each other in their music, the feud came to a head when they shifted to air their grievances directly, a common aspect of hip-hop music culture. While both are well known for being influential artists and leaders, their
How Beyoncé Leads with Authenticity, Resilience, and Influence
In this episode of Lead with That, Ren and Allison discuss superstar Beyoncé and the leadership lessons that we can learn from the music, business, and philanthropic accomplishments she has made throughout her career. From her start in the ’90s as part of girl group Destiny’s Child to now, Beyoncé has worked to become a dominant force in the music industry and beyond. Not only has she achieved unp
What Tesla and Downsizing Teaches Us About Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the recent downsizing at Tesla and the ripple effect that massive layoffs have on leaders and employees across organizations and industries. Beginning this June, Tesla announced plans to lay off around 2,600 employees over a 2-week period, a large percentage of its global workforce. The announcement adds to a growing list of companies foll
Leadership Lessons from "The Office"
In this Episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons that we can learn from watching, “The Office.” Since it first aired in 2005, the series has become a favorite for its beloved characters and the way it masterfully depicts the everyday work lives of office employees and their manager. Though Dunder Mifflin is a fictional workplace, there are many lessons we can glean
What the Potential TikTok Ban Can Teach Us About the Value of Trust in Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the pending ban of social media platform TikTok, and what impact this decision may have on social media users and creators.
On March 13, 2024, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of passing legislation to ban TikTok if its current owner, ByteDance, does not move to sell their stake in the company within 6 months. As a
What Coco Gauff Can Teach Us About Youth as Leaders
In this episode, Ren and Allison discuss Tennis superstar Coco Gauff, and how at only 19-years-old she has shown tremendous leadership potential through her work on an off the court. From her display of unparalleled athleticism and mental fortitude during matches, to being a strong advocate for social justice initiatives and advancing her community, she has become a role model for many young peopl
What Corporate Mergers & Monopolies Can Teach Us About Leading People Through Change
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the major changes and corporate mergers that large companies are working to make happen across industries, and how these business deals will ultimately trickle down and affect their workers. During an already tumultuous time in an evolving job market, workers are struggling to remain grounded and feel a sense of security within their organ
What Lily Gladstone’s Golden Globe Award Win Can Teach Us About the Value of Representation
In this episode of Lead with That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons learned from Lily Gladstone’s 2024 Golden Globe Award win for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. When Gladstone made history as the first indigenous actor to be distinguished with that honor in the award’s 81-year history, she opened her acceptance speech in the Blackfeet language to furt
What the Evolution of the Job Market Can Teach Us About the Importance of Constructive Conversations
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the looming tension that is currently surrounding the job market and how workers are trying to find their footing amidst an ever-changing workplace landscape. From “Quiet Quitting” to “The Great Resignation” to now navigating an unpredictable market filled with layoffs and downsizing, workers are struggling more than ever to find a place i
The Role of Leadership in Shifting Team Culture & Creating a ‘Work Family’
In this episode of Lead With that, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons that we can glean from current societal conversations surrounding what being a “family” in the workplace really entails. As of late, many organizations have moved away from referring to employees as a family and have gravitated towards the concept of the “dream team,” or a more sports team-like structure. This change
What Crisis Management Can Teach Us About Humanity, Trust, and Communication in Leadership
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons we can learn from the communication, or lack thereof, surrounding recent natural disasters. In early August 2023, a series of deadly wildfires broke out on the Island of Maui in Hawaii leading to widespread damage and catastrophic loss. A few weeks later in early September, a Mediterranean storm made landfall over no
What Threads, X, and Changes in the Tech Industry Can Teach Us About Innovation and Change Management
On this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons in innovation and change management that we can take from the creation of the social media website Threads amidst the major changes that are being made to the platform formerly known as Twitter, X. As both sites are currently a hot topic in the media, many are wondering what the future holds for both and what their p
What the Conversation Surrounding Remote Work Can Teach Us About the True Value and Meaning of Community
On this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discus the leadership lessons that we can take from the current societal discussions surrounding inclusion for remote and hybrid employees. As of recent, the ethics, productivity, and health concerns related to remote work have been more prominently discussed in the media, due in part to many employers taking steps to put an end to allowing their
What the Writers’ Strike Can Teach Us About the Importance of Trust and Transparency
In this episode of Lead With That Ren and Allison explore the leadership lessons that we can glean from the current Writers' Strike. On May 1st, TV and Movie writers went on strike for the first time in 15 years after months long negotiations with film studios failed to create a new contract. The strike is complex issue involving power dynamics, negotiations between union representatives and produ
What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About Trust, Influence, and Authenticity
Are you a Swiftie? If you are, this episode of Lead With That is for you. In this conversation Allison and Ren talk about the leadership lessons we can learn from Taylor Swift. A dominant force in the music industry for over a decade with numerous awards and accolades to her name, Taylor’s not only achieved incredible success as an artist, but has also taken a strong leadership role in the industr
What Corrine Diacre’s Firing Can Teach Us About the Importance of Wellbeing, and Purposeful Leadership
In this episode Ren and Allison discuss Corrine Diacre’s leadership style, in the wake of her firing earlier this month. The head coach of the French Women’s National Soccer Team, Diacre was fired just four months before the Women’s World Cup this summer. The reason? “Malfunctions [that] seem[ed], in this context, irreversible,” according to the four-person panel commissioned by the French Footbal
What Artificial Intelligence Can Teach Us About Communication & Development
In this episode Ren and Allison are diving into the exciting world of artificial intelligence, and its impact on leadership and human development. They'll explore the groundbreaking work being done by OpenAI, including its famous language model, ChatGPT, and the new AI powered language model, Bard. This conversation covers the potential that these models hold for transforming the way we think abou
What MacKenzie Scott and MrBeast Can Teach Us About Leadership in 2023
Happy New Year! In this episode Allison and Ren discuss some leadership highlights and low points of 2022 and what they are most looking forward to when it comes to leadership in 2023. They explore examples of how leaders they admire have given back and made purpose core to their leadership style. They also discuss how wealth and power has contributed to some toxic examples of leadership in 2022.
What Gratitude Can Teach Us About the Power of Curiosity, Compassion, and Courage
Sometimes it's hard to find something good about leaders and leadership to talk about. And while we know recently in America there's loads to talk about from a leadership perspective, we decided to take a slightly different approach in this episode. In this season of thanks, we wanted to be very intentional about having a discussion about the importance of gratitude.
As one of our amazing colleagu
What Quiet Quitting Can Teach Us About the Importance of Communication & Development
Hey, can you hear that? Probably not, because that's the sound of quiet quitting.
You've likely heard of the phenomenon of quiet quitting or what some are really just calling someone doing their job description. As quiet quitting gained in popularity it highlighted what some managers have been doing for years, quiet firing. Quiet firing is when an employer does the bare legal minimum to get rid of
What Patagonia Can Teach Us About Ethical Leadership
"Earth is now our only stakeholder." That was written by Yvon Chouinard on September 14th as Patagonia's billionaire founder gave away his company to Mother Earth. Instead of selling Patagonia and taking the company public, Chouinard has given the 3 billion outdoor brand to a family trust and a not-for-profit called the Holdfast Collective. The goal with the creation of these entities is to put an
What Serena Williams Can Teach Us About Resilience & Leadership
On August 9th, one of the best athletes to ever grace the world of sports talked about Evolution. An Evolution away from the game of tennis and onto so many more things. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has began her farewell tour with tennis.
Serena became a professional tennis player in 1995, at the age of 14. Three years later, she won her first grand slam title at 17, at the US Open. Since th
What Leaders Must Do to Cultivate Empathy & Perspective Taking
In this episode Allison and Ren zoom out a bit. Instead of focusing on leadership at work they talk more broadly about what leaders can and should be doing during these difficult times to navigate the hard conversations and make space for the tough questions. Join them as they explore how empathy and perspective taking are more essential than ever as leaders around the world are challenged with to
What Elon Musk Can Teach Us About Leadership & the Future of Work
The future of work, the future of automobiles, and the future of free speech: At the nexus point of all of these is Elon Musk. Musk has never shied away from the public but recently, through his attempted purchase of Twitter and his recent comments about remote work, he’s once again caught our attention here at CCL. At the center of his comments stem 2 core issues of concern for leaders in this mo
What Tragic News Can Teach Us About Leadership Communication & Trust
The recent news cycle has been difficult to take in. Tragic, sad, intense. The impulse for leaders and their team members may be to compartmentalize and pivot the conversation, but so much of what’s happening deserves recognition and discussion.
What can leaders do to create an environment at work where employees can feel safe with their emotions, and don't have to pretend things are just okay? H
What Awards Season Can Teach Us About Professionalism and Emotional Intelligence
In the wake of the slap heard around the world Allison and Ren explore what leadership lessons we can glean from awards season this year. Specifically discussing how conflict in the workplace can be an opportunity to strengthen our professionalism and emotional intelligence skills.
They also share how leaders can better manager conflict on their teams, and create spaces where meaningful conversati
What Forced Arbitration and the Oscars Can Teach Us About Allyship and Progress
On February 10th the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would end forced arbitration for workers who are victims of sexual assault and harassment. This isn't just one of the most significant changes to employment law in years, which is notoriously difficult to amend. But this is a high watermark of equitable, balanced treatment, of people in the workplace - especially women. Under the legislation
What Cancel Culture Can Teach Us About Impact and Accountability
Pepe Le Pew, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, even Minnie Mouse-- all impacted by cancel culture. Dave Chappelle, Joe Rogan, Gina Carano, J.K. Rowling – whether an animation character or just simply an animated character, no one’s safe. But is it cancel or consequence? And really, how does it impact you, working with and on teams and leading people through change?
In this episode Allison and Ren explo
What Betty White and Sidney Poitier Can Teach Us About Inclusion, Access, and Authenticity
In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore what we can learn from the barrier-breaking legacies of Betty White and Sidney Poitier.
On December 31st, 2021 actor, comedian, animal rights activist and author Betty White died just weeks before she would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 17, 2022. Just a week later, the first black man to win an Oscar, an actor that paved the w
What Facebook’s Rebrand to Meta Can Teach Us About Change and Transformation
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn from Facebook's rebrand to Meta. Specifically we talk about the leadership lessons that arise when a company not only changes its name, but also its mission.
We apply what we know about change to what we see happening with Facebook's transformation and how we can learn from Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, and any shift in brand an
What Colin Powell Can Teach Us About the Importance of Humility and Growth
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn from Colin Powell's legacy and leadership philosophy as he moved from the highest reaches of military leadership to the highest echelons of civilian leadership.
In October US General and Statesmen, Colin Powell died due to complications associated with COVID-19. Among his many accolades, he was chairman of the Joint Chie
What Social Media Can Teach Us About Recognizing Bias in the Workplace
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn about recognizing unconscious bias in the workplace from the way news stories are covered on both social media and mainstream media.
By now, you likely know the name of Gabby Petito. Both mainstream media and amateurs on social media have committed hour upon hour to try and find Gabby and raise awareness of her case. The
What the Frito-Lay Labor Strike Can Teach Us About the Future of Flexible Work
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore a nationwide labor shortage and the rise of hybrid workplaces, uncovering what we can learn about the future of work from both phenomena.
In late July, hundreds of union workers belonging to Local 218 in Topeka, Kansas won a big victory over Frito-Lay and so-called suicide shifts. Their 20-day strike shined a spotlight on a broader upswi
What Naomi Osaka Can Teach Us About How Leaders Can Support and Manage Mental Health
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn from tennis star Naomi Osaka about the role leaders play in supporting and managing mental health.
In June 23-year-old Naomi Osaka, the No. 2 ranked tennis player in women’s tennis, withdrew from Wimbledon. This happened in the wake of Osaka withdrawing, in the second round from the French Open in a storm of controversy c
What Jacinda Ardern Can Teach Us About Leading with Authenticity, Empathy, and Transparency
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn from the leadership characteristics of New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who currently holds the number 1 spot on Fortune’s list of World's Greatest Leaders.
This isn’t the first time Prime Minister Ardern has made Fortune’s Greatest Leaders list, but this is the first time in 2021 that she’s been ranked numbe
What the Suez Canal Can Teach Us About Accountability and Resilience
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they explore what we can learn about accountability and resilience from the Suez Canal.
Something like 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. About 60% of that includes basically all imported fruits, gadgets, and appliances. As March came to a close, the Ever Given, a container ship almost as long as the Empire State building is tall, ran agr
What Solar Energy Can Teach Us About Mindset and Organizational Change
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they investigate what we can learn about how people and organizations react to change by taking a look at the solar energy industry.
Solar is officially the cheapest energy in history. According to the International Energy Agency, solar is 20-50% cheaper than traditional energy sources.
As solar becomes a profitable way to save our planet it might se
What GameStop Can Teach Us About Disruption and Culture Change
Join CCL's Ren Washington and Allison Barr as they investigate what we can learn about disruption and transformation from the recent short squeeze orchestrated through the internet.
In December, GameStop was trading at a little under $13. At the end of January it was trading at $379 and some change. And at the time of this recording, it is trading at $193. This feels like a lot of disruption.
Wha
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